Process of interconverting high-potential polyphase and direct electric currents and transmitting power.



C. G. KOPPITZ. PROCESS OF INTERCUNVERTING HIGH POTENTIAL POLYPHASE ANDDIRECT ELECTRIC GURRENTS AND TRANSMITTING POWER.

APPLICATION FILED on. 10, 1912.

Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

jnuerofora' z/p/g 4 C. G. KOPPITZ.

PROCESS OF INTERCONVERTING HIGH POTENTIAL POLYPHASE AND DIRECT ELECTRICCURRENTS- AND TRANSMITTING POWER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 10, I912.

Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

8 SHEETSSHEET 2.

C. G. KOPPITZ.

PROCESS OF INTERCONVERTING HIGH POTENTIAL POLYPHASE AND DIRECT ELECTRICCURRENTS AND TRANSMITTING POWER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 10. l9l2.

Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

C. G. KOPPITZ.

PROCESS OF INTERCONVERTING HIGH POT-ENTIAL POLYPHASE AND DIRECT ELECTRICCURRENTS AND TRANSMITTING POWER.

. APPLICATION FILED OCT-10, IQIZ 1,245,356. Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

8 SHEETSSHEET 4.

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C. G. KOPPITZ.

PROCESS OF INTERCONVERTING HIGH POTENTIAL POLYPHASE AND DIRECT ELECTRICCURRENTS AND TRANSMITTING POWER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I0, I9I2.

1,245,356. Patented Nov. 6, 1917 8 SHEETS-SHEET 5- Invcrufo r: a I

C. G. KOPPITZ.

PROCESS OF INTERCONVERTING HIGH POTENTIAL POLYPHASE AND DIRECT ELECTRICCURRE-NTS AND TRANSMITTING POWER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-10.1912.

1,245,356. Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

8 SHEETSSHEET 6.

wz Maw",

C. G. KOPPITZ.

PROCESS OFINTERCONVERTING HIGH POTENTIAL POLYPHASE AND DIRECT ELECTRICCURRENTS AND TRANSMITTING POWER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- l0. I912.

C. G. KOPPITZ.

PROCESS OF INTERCONVERTING, HIGH POTENTIAL POLYPHASE AND DIRECT ELECTRICCURRENTS AND TRANSMITTING POWER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 10. I9I2.

1,245,356w Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

B SHEETS-SHEET 8.

UNITED STATES PATENT onnicn.

CARL G. KOPPITZ, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.

PROCESS OF IN TERCONVERTING HIGH-POTENTIAL PCLYPHASE AN D DIRECTELECTRIG CURRENTS AND TRANSMITTING POWER.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL G. Korrrrz, a citizen of the United States,residing at Youngstown, in the county of Mahoning and State of Ohio,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes ofInterconverting High-Potential Polyphase and Direct Electric Currentsand Transmitting Power, of which the following is a specification.

his process relates especially to the inter conversion of alternatingand direct currents of sufliciently high potential to permitunidirectional currents to be transferred as arcs between the separatedfixed segments and revolving brushes of a collector, for examplecurrents having a potential of from one or two thousand up to severalhundred thousand volts. The invention involves the flow of polyphasecurrents to or from and through a fixed winding. and the flow of directcurrents to or from the collectorbrushes, pulses of direct currentjumping across the spaces between these brushes and fixed segmentsconnected by spaced leads to diflerent portions of a closed winding ininductive relation to or included in the polyphase circuits, the brushesrotating in synchronism with the cycles of alternating current therebyremaining at a predetermined point on the E. M. F. wave, The segmentsand brushes are preferably cooled and the arcs extinguished'by blasts ofpro-cooled non-oxidizing gas, caused to impinge upon them by fanscarried by the brushes, the portions of gas heated by the several arcsbeing electrically insulated as they flow away from the segments andbeing delivered to a. separate cooler.

The process also relates to the transmission of electric power,alternating current being generated and converted into direct current atone point, transmitted to another point by two wires or by a single wireand the ground, and there re-converted into alternating current.

Suitable apparatus for carrying out the invention is shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is-a diagrammatic view of theelectrical features of a three-phase converter having separatetransformer windings for polyphase and direct current, and twocollector-brushes of opposite polarity;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

This application filed October of the preferred current-collectingmechanism;

Fig. 5 phase converter;

Fig. (i is a diagrammatic view of a singlephase converter or rectifier,driven by a syn chronous motor;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a moditied single-phase converter;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a system for generating three-phasecurrent, converting, transmitting, reconverting and delivering it at theoriginal frequency and potential, comprising two converters, the firstdelivering and the second receiving direct current, both driven bysynchronous motors;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of a system for generating three-phasecurrent, converting, transmitting, reconverting and delivering it at theoriginal frequency and at any desired potential, comprising twoconverters, each with separate primary and secondary windings, the firstdelivering and the second receiving direct current;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a system for generating threephasecurrent, converting, transmitting, reconverting and for changing it atthe receiving station into di rect current of any potential;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view of a converter for changing the voltageof a direct current;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of a modified current-collector havingrevolving commutator-segments and stationary brushes;

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view of a modified current-collector havingrevolving segments and stationary brushes, in which adjacent segmentsare connected in multiple, by slip-rings, from sections thereof toequipotential parallel windings;

Fig. 14: 1s a vertical axial section of a current -collector havingrevolving segments and stationary brushes, provided with electromagnetsfor extinguishing the arcs;

Fig. 15 is a vertical axial section of a curis a diagrammatic view of asixrent collector having revolving segments and stationary brushes,provided with gasblast nozzles for extinguishing the arcs; and

Figs. 16, 17 are a vertical axial section and a side elevation,respectively, of a current collector having revolving brushes andrevolving gas-blast nozzles connected to a separate blower.

The converter shown in Fig. 1 comprises a threephase transformer havingdelta-connected concentric closed windings 1, 2, the winding 1 havingexternal leads 3, 4, 5, and the winding 2 having a series of spacedleads 6 extending to a circular row of separated commutator segments 7.Concentric to but spaced away from the segments are two brushes 8, 9, ofopposite polarity, which are carried by a central revolving shaft 10.Upon this shaft and insulated therefrom are two collector-rings 11, 12,respectively connected to' the brushes 8, 9 by wires 13, 14:. Fixedbrushes 15, 16, for receiving or delivering direct current, bear onthese rings. The outer. winding 1 may be omitted and the polyphase leads3, l, 5 delta-connected to the remaining winding 2, as indicated by thedotted lines 17, this winding then acting as an auto-transformer.

In the converter shown in Fig. 2 a single closed auto-transformerwinding 18 is subdivided into six equal portions, opposite pairs ofwhich are delta-connected in parallel to thethree external polyphaseleads 3, 4t, 5, spaced leads 6' also extending from different portionsof the winding to the commutator segments 7 Two pairs ofoppositely-disposed brushes, 8, 8 and 9, 9 are carried by a centralrevolving shaft 10, the opposite brushes being of like polarity and thetwo pairs being respectively connected. in parallel to collecting-rings11, 12', on which bear brushes 15, 16.

The preferred current-collector is illustrated in detail in Figs. 3 and4. Its two diametrically-opposite brushes 8, 8 are fixed on a disk 19 ofinsulating material, carried by and rotating with the shaft 10. Thesebrushes are connected in parallel to a metal ring 11 carried by aninsulating disk fixed on the shaft. Two oppositelydisposed brushes 9. 9,of opposite polarity to the first pair, are also fixed on the disk 19,in positions ninety degrees therefrom, and are conT nected in parallelto a metal ring 12 carried by another insulating 'disk fixed on theshaft. Positive and negative brushes 15, 16, respectively, for receivingor delivering the direct current, bear on the rings 11. 12. Thecommutator segn'ients 7 are secured on a flat ring 20 of insulatingmaterial, lying in the plane of the disk 19. The brushes and segmentsare inclosed by a box, comprising the disk 19 and ring 20, and acircular front-plate 21 of insulating material, with a rim 21, extendingover the ring 20.

An annular partition 22 extends rearwardly from the front-plate '21,subdividing the box into two concentric chambers. A pipe 23 extendingthrough the plate :21 inside the partition serves to supply a prc-cooledinert or reducing gas, for example nitrogen, carbon monoxid or methane,which flows outward between the segments and brushes around thepartition 22 and escapes to a suitable cooler and pump 2% through thepipes 25 outside the partition. Four fans 26, shown as rectangularcurved funnels, are secured to the disk 19 in proximity to the brushes,in such position that the rotation of the disk causes the gas in theinner chamber of the box to pass into the wider end of the funnels andbe delivered from their narrower ends just behind the brushes. Thesejets of cool inert or reducing gas flow through the open spaces betweenthe segments 7 and the brushes and effectively extinguish any arcs whichtend to persist after the brushes pass on. The ionized gas heated by theares flows outward between radial partitions 27 of fire-proof insulatingmaterial, for example mica, vulcabeston or bakelite, secured to the ring21, being thereby subdivided into electrically-isolated portions,preventing the current from flashing across the segments. Other radialpartitions 28 serve to similarly subdivide the heated gas flowing intothe outerannular compartment of the box and thence escaping through thepipes 25 to the cooler. In practice, it is found that the arcs jumpingbetween the brushes and segments very slightly burn or oxidize the metalthereof, the current flowing, in amperes, being small on account of thehigh voltage employed. The brushes may be adjusted inward toward thesegments to compensate for any wear by shifting-collars 29 secured onthe shaft 10 by setscrews and rotating in contact with opposite sides ofan apertured central boss 30 carried by a flanged metal disk 31 securedto the plate 20.

The six-phase converter illustrated in Fig. 5 has six separate primarywindings 32 and six serially -connected secondary windings 33, ininductive relation with the primary windings and 'with equi distantleads 6 and collector-segments 7. Revolving brushes 8, 9 of oppositepolarity, rotating in synchronism with the phases of the six-phasegenerator, and spaced away from the segments 7 receive the currentsarcing therefrom and deliver them to rings 11, 12 onwhich bear terminalbrushes 15, 16. As the wave of induced E. M. F. traverses the coils, thedirect current brushes 8 and 9 rotate in unison therewith, so as tocollect current at predetermined points on the. E. M. F. wave, therebydelivering unidirectional currents at a predetermined voltage.

The single-phase converter shown in Fig.

slip-rings 84, equal in number to and respectively connected by leads 85to the several segments. A brush 86 bears on each slip-ring and spacedleads 87 connect therefrom to the secondary winding 88, of theconverter. The primary 89 of the converter in this instance hasterminals to receive three-phase current, and shaft 81 is driven by asynchronous three-phase motor 90,

Fig. 13 also illustrates a current-collector having revolving segments80 carried by a shaft 81, and fixed direct-current brushes 82, 83. Inthis case, the converter has two secondary windings 88 88 both ininductive relation to the primary three-phase winding 89, the winding 88being located in its present position to avoid confusion of circuits.Pairs of adjacent segments 80 are connected by leads 85 85 to' oppositerevolving insulated contact-plates 84 84 on which bear brushes 86 86respectively connected by spaced leads 87 87 2 to the secondary windings88 88 Currents of the same potential induced in the two secondarywindings are thereby carried to adjacent segments, and are from bothacross to the brushes 82, 83, which are of sufiicient length to cover apair of segments.

Fig. 14 illustrates a current-collectorof the revolving-segment typeshown in Figs. 12, 13, in which electro-magnets 91 are provided toextinguish the residual arcs between the segments 80 and brushes 82, 83.These magnets inclose and have their pole-pieces in proximity to theopposite faces of the segments and brushes.

Fig. 15 also illustrates a current-collector of the revolving-segmenttype, in which nozzles 92 are arranged to deliver jets of air betweenthe segments and brushes, to extinguish the arcs.

Figs. 16, 17 illustrate a current-collector of the revolving-brush type,like that shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, in which the shaft 10 'carrying thebrushes 8, 9 also carries an axially-arranged pipe 93 having branches94, 95 with nozzles terminating in proximity to the segments andbrushes. Compressed gas is supplied to revolving pipe 93 by a fixed pipe96 entering its end and fed by a blower 97.

The transmission of power by the present process, in which alternatingcurrent, which may be generated at a moderate potential, is convertedinto direct current of high potential, transmitted as such over thelines and re-converted into alternating current, presents manyadvantages. It eliminates the undesirable transient phenomena whichoccur when high-potential alternating currents are transmitted; themaximum electromotive force is no greater than the effective one; andthe transmission system is simplified, but two conductors being requiredinstead of three or four, or but one line-wire if the earth is used as areturn conductor. For short lines, the direct current may be transmittedat a moderate potential, by simply rectifying the alternating currentfrom the generator. The current may be delivered at the receivingstation as alternating current of any desired potential, frequency ornumber of phases, or as direct current of any potential.

The subject-matter of this application is partly disclosed ,in mycopending application Ser. No. 646,988, filed August 31,1911, now Patent1,183,881, patented May 23, 1916.

I claim:

1. The process of interconverting highpotential alternating and directelectric currents, which consists in causing alternating currents totraverse a polyphase winding, and synchronously transferringunidirectional currents as arcs between successive portions of eachphase of said winding and collectors. I

2. The process of interconverting highpotential alternating and directelectric currents, which consists in causing polyphase currents totraverse a closed polyphase winding, and synchronously transferringunidirectional currents as arcs between successive portions of eachphase of said winding and collectors.

3. The process of interconverting highpotential alternating and directelectric currents, which consists in causing polyphase currents totraverse a closed polyphase wind ing, synchronously transferringunidirectional currents as arcs between successive portions of eachphase of said winding and collectors, and successively extinguishingsaid arcs.

1. The process of interconverting highpotential alternating and directelectric currents, which consists in causing polyphase currents totraverse a closed polyphase winding, synchronously transferringunidirectional currents as arcs between successive portions of eachphase of said winding and collectors, and successively extinguishingsaid arcs by blasts of gas.

5. The process of interconverting highpotential alternating and directelectric currents, which consists in causing polyphase currents totraverse a closed polyphase-winding, synchronously transferringunidirectional currents as arcs between successive portions of eachphase of said winding and collectors, and successively extinguishingsaid arcs by blasts of cooled gas.

6. The process of interconverting highpotential alternating and directelectric currents which consists in causin ol hase currents to traversea closed polyphase winding, synchronously transferring unidirectlonalcurrents as arcs bGtWQQIl successive portions of each phase of saidwinding and.

collectors, and successively extinguishing said arcs by blasts of anon-oxidizing gas.

7 The process of interconverting highpotential alternating and directelectric currents, which consists in causing polyphase currents totraverse a closed polyphase winding, synchronously transferringunidirectional currents as arcs between successive portions of eachphase of said winding and collectors, and electrically isolating theportions of gas heated by the several arcs.

8. The process of interconverting highpotential alternating and directelectric currents, which consists in causing polyphase currents totraverse a closed polyphase winding, synchronously transferringunidirectional currents as arcs between successive portions of eachphase of said Winding and collectors, successively extinguishing saidarcs by blasts of gas, and electrically isolating the portions of gasheated by the several arcs.

9. The process of interconverting highpotential alternating and directelectric currents, which consistsin causing polyphase currents totraverse a closed polyphase Winding, synchronously transferringunidirec: tional currents as arcs between successive portions of eachphase of said winding and collectors, successively extinguishing saidarcs by blasts of cooled non-oxidizing gas, and electrically isolatingthe portions of gas heated by the several arcs.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CARL G. KOPPITZ.

Witnesses:

J. W. BLAOKBURN, H; M. BRIGGS.

